top 10 Instagrammable Places in San Francisco
San Francisco, the “Golden City,” is a content creator’s paradise with stunning views and vibrant neighborhoods. For the best shots, plan your photo stops ahead of time. Don’t miss iconic spots like the Golden Gate Bridge and quirky places like the Sutro Baths. Explore the top Instagrammable places in San Francisco to capture every unforgettable moment!
1. Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s crown jewel is the Golden Gate Bridge, with its iconic 746-foot towers, sweeping cables, and vibrant “International Orange” color. It’s one of the world’s most photographed landmarks and one of the top aesthetic places in San Francisco.
For the best shots, visit the Golden Gate Overlook. This hilltop spot south of the bridge offers stunning panoramic views of the bay, Marin Headlands, and the bridge itself, making it one of the most aesthetic places in San Francisco to capture the perfect photo.
Location: Golden Gate Brg, San Francisco, CA, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance Fees: Free
2. Palace of Fine Arts
Do you want to get away from the busy city and spend some time relaxing? Visit the Palace of Fine Arts. This prominent San Francisco landmark is renowned for good reason. This massive Roman-style temple is beautiful from many angles, making it one of the top Instagram spots in San Francisco.
Whether you’re here for engagement photography or just to capture the stunning architecture, you won’t be disappointed. The Palace of Fine Arts is also used for trade exhibits, private parties, and special events. For the best experience, visit early morning before the crowds. It’s definitely one of the must-see Instagram spots in San Francisco.
Location: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States
Opening hours: Tues to Sun 10 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Entrance Fees: Free
3. Bernal Heights
Location: Residential neighbourhood in southeastern San Francisco
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance Fees: Free
4. Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown, the largest outside Asia, is rich in culture and history. The colorful neon signs, blazing red lanterns, beautiful lanes, and modest flower shops inspire visitors as they walk through this bustling region. As one of the oldest and liveliest Chinatowns, it boasts Chinese-inspired structures, lanterns, temples, and decorations lining the streets.
You can find some of San Francisco’s most Instagram worthy restaurants in San Francisco and delicious eateries in Chinatown. The Dragon’s Gate, the magnificent southern gateway, is one of San Francisco’s top photo spots. Walk down Grant Avenue, lined with tea stores, herbalists, markets, and restaurants, with your camera ready. Morning is great for shooting without people, but night is better for seeing the neighborhood lit up and the Instagram worthy restaurants in San Francisco and karaoke bars in full swing. It’s definitely one of the must-see sights in San Francisco.
Opening hours: Most stores open around 10 AM. They often stay open late until around 9 or 10 PM.
Entrance Fees: Free but budget for food and souvenirs
5. Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is a must-visit among Instagrammable Places in San Francisco and a top spot for photographing flowers. This historic greenhouse showcases five galleries with 2,000 vibrant flowers and lush greenery, including rare and exotic blooms.
With seasonal blooms, tropical greenery, and charming water features, it’s a visual treat for photographers. Despite its size, you can easily spend hours exploring and capturing its beauty, making it a great indoor activity for San Francisco’s unpredictable weather.
Location: 100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
Opening hours: Closed on Mondays but open Tues to Sun 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Entrance Fees: The Conservatory is always free for San Francisco locals with ID, but entry is also free on the first Tuesday of the month.$10 per person, Tues to Thurs, or $12 per person, Fri to Sun. You can purchase tickets online in advance or at the venue.
6.Japanese Tea Garden
The Japanese Tea Garden is a top pick among Instagrammable Places in San Francisco. Its stunning architecture, dragon-shaped hedges, and vibrant Zen garden with a 5-story Pagoda offer endless photo opportunities. Located on Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive in Golden Gate Park, it’s perfect for capturing cherry blossoms in March and April, making it a must-see sight in San Francisco.
Location: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
Opening hours: Daily from 9 AM to 4:45 PM
Entrance Fees: $10 per person. If you can visit between 9 AM – 10 AM on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, then there is no admission charge.
7. Umbrella Alley
Umbrella Alley is a vibrant Instagrammable place in San Francisco located near Fisherman’s Wharf, where artists create and showcase their colorful projects. This small area is filled with vivid murals and balloons, making it a visual feast for photographers.
Despite its size, Umbrella Alley offers numerous angles and perspectives for capturing unique shots. Visit in the morning to see the shapes of the balloons on the ground, adding an extra touch of charm to your photos.
Location: 218 E Main St, Louisville, OH 44641, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance Fees: Free
8. California Street
California Street is a top pick among Instagrammable Places in San Francisco, stretching from Lands End to the Ferry Building. Known for its scenic views and frequent cable cars, it offers classic San Francisco shots, including trams crossing the street and distant views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
For the best photo opportunities, shoot in front of Dim Sum Corner, where you can capture skyscrapers and the bridge down the steep street. Mornings and weekends are ideal for quieter shots without traffic.
Location: California Street, near Dim Sum Corner
Entrance Fees: Free.
9. SkyStar Wheel
First on this list of Instagrammable Places in San Francisco is the SkyStar Wheel in Golden Gate Park. This 150-foot-tall wheel offers stunning aerial views of downtown, the bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Installed in 2020 and here until 2025, it features colorful lights at night, making it a great subject for night photography. Each ride lasts 12 minutes, providing ample time to capture its beauty.
Location: 1 Bowl Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
Opening hours: Sat to Thurs 10 AM to 8 PM , Fri 10 AM to 9 PM
Entrance Fees: $18 per person, $12 for seniors (65+) and children (12 and under)
10. The Ferry Building
For vintage architecture lovers, the Ferry Building is a top Instagrammable Place in San Francisco. This Beaux-Arts gem, established in 1898, features elegant arches and a 245-foot clock tower. Capture its stunning façade and then explore the farmer’s market for fresh farm products and artisan cuisine.
Location: 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States
Opening hours: Daily 7 AM to 8 PM
Entrance Fees: Free
Final Thoughts
San Francisco is full of amazing photo spots, from famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to hidden gems like the Japanese Tea Garden. Explore these top Instagrammable Places in San Francisco to make your feed as vibrant and unique as the city!
Common Questions About Places In San Francisco
- Instagram-Worthy Spots In SF
- California Street. San Francisco’s major throughway, California Street, cuts across the city from west to east, one of the longest roads in all of the city at 5.2 miles. …
- Chinatown. …
- Golden Gate Park. …
- Union Square. …
- City Hall. …
- Baker Beach. …
- Painted Ladies. …
- Lombard Street.
Golden Gate Bridge
This magnificent bridge, perhaps San Francisco’s most famous landmark, opened in 1937 after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rocks, and treacherous tides.
- Embarcadero.
- South Beach.
- Union Street.
- Fillmore District.
- Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Lombard Street.
- Coit Tower.
- Golden Gate Bridge.
- Alcatraz: Visit San Francisco’s Iconic Island.
- Cable Cars.
- Painted Ladies.
- Fisherman’s Wharf.
Which parts of San Francisco are the safest? The safest areas to stay are mentioned above: Union Square, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, North Beach, The Castro, The Presidio, and Japantown.
Lombard Street in San Francisco is one of the most well-known streets on the entire West Coast, but basic name recognition can be as far as many visitors’ knowledge goes. Often, questions such as “Why is Lombard Street so famous?” and even “Can you still drive down Lombard Street?”
Start Planning Your USA Trip Now!
Book Your Flight:
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flights. A travellers favorite way to book flights, as it searches websites and airlines around the world with one click.
Book Your Bus or Transportation Within USA:
There are two ways to book your transporation, ask your hotel or hostel, go to the local bus terminal, or book online, for a less stressful trip using 12go.asia
Book Your Accomodation:
Find the best hotels or hostels at HostelWorld, Booking.com, Agoda.com. Perks include with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out and Free cancellations.
Dont Forget Your Travel Insurance:
Two popular choices are SafetyWing and WorldsNomads. A traveler should buy traveler’s insurance to protect themselves against unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost or stolen baggage. It provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Useful Apps?
Checkmy Bus / Wanderu / Busbud – Booking Busses
Whatsapp / Groupme / Boostone – Communication
HiJiffy / Hotel Tonight / Agoda – Booking Hotel
Trip.com / Goibibo – Booking Train
Seamless / GrubHub / Uber Eats – Food Delivery
Uber / Lyft / Wingz – Booking Taxi
Want More Information On USA?
Be sure to check out my nomad travel guide on the USA for even more tips.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
